Castlepollard Mixed National School
Castlepollard, Westmeath
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 169 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 78 girls, 91 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 05513H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Castlepollard Mixed National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the town of Castlepollard, County Westmeath. Operating under the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Meath, the school welcomes pupils of all faiths and backgrounds, delivering a balanced curriculum that incorporates Religious Education in line with the Roman Catholic tradition. The school is recognised as a DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) institution since 2017, reflecting its commitment to inclusive education and support for disadvantaged learners. The school currently enrols approximately 140 children who are organised into six mainstream classrooms and two dedicated autism classes. A team of four Special Educational Needs (SET) support teachers provides both in‑class assistance and withdrawal support, ensuring that individual learning needs are met. A broad range of pedagogical programmes underpins the curriculum, including Jolly Phonics for early literacy, the Aistear framework for play‑based learning, Guided Reading and Reading Recovery for developing reading proficiency, and Numicon for multisensory mathematics. Social‑emotional development is fostered through the “Fun Friends” and “Friends For Life” programmes. A daily healthy lunch is provided, consisting of a sandwich or wrap, fruit or yoghurt, and water, supporting the school’s emphasis on wellbeing. The school’s facilities accommodate a vibrant community of learners, offering specialised spaces for autism support and a collaborative environment that encourages creativity, academic growth and personal development.
History
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary, an event highlighted in the Westmeath Examiner alongside the opening of its dedicated autism class. In 2017 the school was awarded DEIS status by the Department of Education, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to equity and inclusive provision.
Applying to Castlepollard Mixed National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Castlepollard Mixed National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Castlepollard Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Castlepollard Mixed National School?
Castlepollard Mixed National School has 169 pupils enrolled, 78 girls and 91 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Castlepollard Mixed National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Castlepollard Mixed National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Castlepollard Mixed National School?
Castlepollard Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.